Fabric-measuring device



Feb. 9 1926. 1,572,734

J. H. MCDERMOTT FABRIC MEASURING DEVICE Filed June 3, 1924 31a/vento@ aucun vPATENTE.

FFECE.

JAMES HERBERT MCDERMOTT,

QF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

FABRIMEASURING DEVICE.

Application filed June 3,

Be it known that I, JAMES I-Innnnnr Mo- Dnniio'r'r. a citizen of the United States, resid ing' at llartford, in the county of I'Iartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Iinprovenients in a Faliric-lileasuring Device of which the following' is a specification.

This invention relates to an iinproved fabric measuring device which is especially, but `not necessarily, intended for counter use in department stores and the like.

I have evolved and produced a. novel measuring` device of the above named class which is exceedingly practical and desirable for use by novices and apprentices` to enable thein, without instructions, to acc11- rately cut and make sales for any aniount of material solicited by a custon'ier.

Briefiy and broadly speaking, the iinproved device comprises a calibrated body which is provided at predetermined longitudinally spaced points with suit-able guides for a cloth severingl implement, which is in the inost instances a pair of scissors. I

More specifically, I propose to utilize a device of the above class which preferably comprises a pair of calibrated or graduated straight edges which are provided at longitudinally spaced" points with scissor blade rece' ing grooves, these straijht edges being connected together by scissor guides which have their opposite ends opening .into the respective grooves in the straight edges.

The several features and advantages of the invention will beconie apparent fromthe following description and drawing.

` In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figurey l is a top plan view of the fabric ineasurinpl device constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail section showingthe method of connecting the parts.

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of one end of the hereinafter referred to guides.

In carrying' out the invention. I provide a structure which is capable of being built into an ordinary store counter, rigidly connected thereto, or niovably supported thereon. In the drawing;` however, I have shown the improved device detachably connected with the upper surface of the counter, the saine being arranged at any convenient point i924. ne. 717,571.

upon the latter. 'lhe counter is represented by the reference character l, and the i'neasurina' device as a whole, is designated by the reference character lllhile the device last mentioned could be constructed Vin seine other nn r` I prefer to use two strips of lfrass or equivalent material 3. llach of rese strips is slightly greater than thirty sii: inches in length, this length having been found sulicicnt to ineet substantially all -iniirenients of the device. These brass itute these called stiuiglit1 edges. more clearly seen in Figure l., eachstrip is calibrated byy providing it with one-inch gradual ions for both the customer and salesi ran to observe in ineasurinp'off the desired niece of fabric. Also as seen in the figure mentioned. each of the brass strips is provided at prcdeterininedA longitudinally spaced i oints with transverse ,grooves 5, and for the purpose of detachably connects inn' the strips with the counter l, they are psovided with holes for passage of fasteningA screws4 or the like.

In practice. the incasurinel strips are disposed along the opposite longitudinal edges of the counter so that the device takes up substantially a space in width equal to the width to a. conventional bolt of fabric. Of course, in attaching the measuring` strips, they are placed in spaced parallelism and as seen.y a plurality of longitudinally spaced woodenstrips 6 are interposed between the inner edges thereof. Each wooden strip vis providedin its top with a groove? extending` from end to end and the strips are placed so that the opposite open ends ofthe grooves align with the aforesaid short grooves 5 in the ineasurine` strips. In other words. a wooden strip 6 is placed opposite each pair of opposed grooves 5. The grooves 5 and 7 constitute guides or passageways for the cuttinpf implement used in severine' the fabric. For the purpose of providing a more rigid structure, sinall metal plates 8 are fastened to the opposite end of each of the strips 6, portions of the plates being` allowed to project beyond the ends. and these projecting portions beine' formed with holes 9 for passage of the .aforesaid fasteningscrews. lith this arrangement it should be observed that the fastening; screws serve first to retain the measuring strips in place and also pass through the holes in the instal anchoring plates 8 for retaining` the strips 6 in place. It is yet to be pointed out that these grooves in the measuring strips and Wooden strips are disposed at predetermined longitudinally spaced points, each point indicating al specified portion of a yard. For instance, the grooves on the right hand end of the device are one-eighth of a yard apart, While the distance betiveen the tiret groove on the right hand end and tic third groove is a distance equal to one-quarter of a yard.

From the foregoing it is obvious that in using the device, the employee places one edge or end of the fabric directly above the outermost right hand groove and stretches the fabric over the frame to any desired point. For instance, if the customer Wishes one-half of a yard ofthe fabric, the 'fabric is stretched over and beyond the center of the device wherein an indication appears giving that particuiar measurement. With the assistance of a customer, the material is held in proper position and the blades of the scissors are guided through the selected grooves While the fabric is being severed. A perfectly straight edge is thus always left on the end of the material still on the bolt and an accurate n'ieasurement is assured and with such a device, there is no chance for short-measure or Wastage of material. Solicitation of samples by customers is also avoided to very noticeable extent by the presence of the true edge left on the end of the fabric after the desired amount has been removed.

l't is Within the scope of the invention, as before intimated, to either apply the device as an attachment to a counter, to build it in the top ofthe counter-,or to movably mount it upon the counter so that it can be transported from place to place for more convenient use. It is thought however that the foregoing description taken in connection With the drawing will enable the reader to obtain a clear comprehension of the invention 'and for this reason a more elaborate description is deemed unnecessary.

Attention is directed to the fact that the combination of materials specified is intend ed very desirable. That is, the measuring strips are of metal to render them Warp proof and to provide the desired straight edges for securing accurate measurements, and the cross strips are of Wood. By using Wood, yobjectionable clinking noise which would result from the contact of the scissor blades With metallic material, is entirely avoided.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is l. A fabric measuring device comprising a pair of Warp-proof metallic straight edges disposed in transversely spaced parallelism and calibrated and provided at longitudinally spaced points with transverse grooves, the grooves in one straight edge being opposed to the grooves in the other straight edge, and strips interposed between said straight edges and having grooves in their upper sides alined ivith and opening into the opposed grooves in said straight edges, said strips being made of Wood to eliminate objectionable noises produced by metallic cutting implements.

2. A fabric measuring device comprising a pair of transversely spaced metallic straight edges having their upper sides calibrated and formed at longitudinally spaced points with grooves, the grooves in one of the straight edgesbeing in alignment With the corresponding grooves in the complemental straight edge, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced separa-te and independent strips of Wood interposed between the straight edges, said Wooden strips being provided in vtheir upper sides with grooves, said last named grooves aligning with the opposed Vpairs, of grooves in the aforesaid straight edges, and connecting plates connected to the opposite ends of the Wooden strips and projecting beyond said ends and underlying the straight edges, said connecting plates being apertured for passage of fastenings.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JAMES HERBERT MCDERMOTT.

sis 

